The present invention relates to the field of traps for rats and mice, and in particular relates to traps in a safe box for use on the ground.
Inherent flaws in the basic design of snap-traps to date create problems with non-target bycatch issues, when birds, lizards, snakes, kittens, etc. are caught in traps set for pests, inciting negative public reaction. Other types of traps, such as live capture cage traps and leg-hold traps, have the disadvantage of being much bulkier and/or of heavy construction. They merely restrain rather than kill the animals, and unless checked regularly at short time intervals will cause captured animals unnecessary stress and suffering. As concern for animal rights grows worldwide, and international animal welfare regulations become more stringent, particularly in relation to perceived indiscriminate use of toxins and inefficient traps, the number and type of traps available is diminishing.
The objective of the present invention is to provide a snap trap enclosure adapted for reducing non-target bycatches.
The present invention relates to a snap trap enclosure for placement on the ground, the snap trap enclosure comprising:
The housing may be made from any material, such as metal or plastic.
In the present context, the term "tunnel" is to be understood very broadly, including corridors, channels, and similar tunnel-like structures.
Non-target bycatches, such as birds, lizards, snakes, snails, kittens, or the like, are not prone to pass the plate by destroying it. Rather, they will quickly give up, and leave the housing through the rat and/or mouse entry opening.
A plate of a material suitable for a rat and/or mouse to gnaw through may be of many types, such as a material comprising or consisting of a polymer material, a starch material, a lignin material, such as cardboard, a protein material, or the like. Preferably, the material is un-dissolvable by snails.
In one or more embodiments, the tunnel is configured with an open bottom, such that a rat and/or mouse within the tunnel is walking on the ground on which the snap trap enclosure is positioned. This configuration makes the rat and/or mouse feel more safe, and thereby more prone to stay within the tunnel.
In one or more embodiments, the plate is positioned within the tunnel at a distance from the rat and/or mouse entry opening such that a rat and/or mouse can enter the tunnel without having to gnaw through the plate. Such a distance may be at least 7 cm inside the tunnel, such as at least 8 cm inside the tunnel, such as at least 9 cm inside the tunnel, such as at least 10 cm inside the tunnel, such as at least 11 cm inside the tunnel, such as at least 12 cm inside the tunnel, such as at least 13 cm inside the tunnel, such as at least 14 cm inside the tunnel, such as at least 15 cm inside the tunnel, such as at least 20 cm inside the tunnel.
In one or more embodiments, the plate is perforated with holes and/or slits/slots. The holes and/or slits/slots have two purposes. The scent from the bait in the snap trap and/or scent attractant positioned within the tunnel must reach the outside of the snap trap enclosure to lure the mouse and/or rat. Furthermore, the mouse and/or rat must be able to position its incisors in a hole and/or slit to be able to gnaw through the plate.
In one or more embodiments, the holes have a diameter of 3-8 mm, preferably about 5 mm, such as within the range of 4-7 mm, e.g. 5-6 mm.
In one or more embodiments, the slits/slots have a width of 3-8 mm, preferably about 5 mm, such as within the range of 4-7 mm, e.g. 5-6 mm.
In one or more embodiments, a scent attractant is positioned in the tunnel in a position between the plate and the snap trap.
In one or more embodiments, a scent attractant is positioned in the tunnel in a position between the plate and the snap trap; wherein the scent attractant is sized and configured such that a rat and/or mouse can pass it in the tunnel and move unhindered towards the snap trap.
In one or more embodiments, the housing further comprises a barbed slit being sized and configured for receiving the plate. This configuration makes it impossible for a rat and/or mouse to move the plate, e.g. to move it upwards, and pass underneath.
In one or more embodiments, the plate is made of a water-resistant cardboard material.
In one or more embodiments, the thickness of the plate is within the range of 1-3 mm.
In one or more embodiments, the housing comprises two rat and/or mouse entry openings leading into opposite ends of the tunnel leading to the snap trap, and wherein a plate is blocking the tunnel on each side of the snap trap, such that a rat and/or mouse cannot reach the snap trap without gnawing through said plate. Since rats and mice tend to crawl along the outer wall of a building, it is important that they can enter a snap trap enclosure positioned against a wall of a building from both sides.
The dimensions of the rat and/or mouse entry opening are important. A rat is not prone to enter a narrow entry opening below 40 mm.
In one or more embodiments, the rat and/or mouse entry opening is sized and configured to leave an opening with a free height of at least 40 mm, such as within the range of 40-100 mm, e.g. at least 45 mm, such as within the range of 45-95 mm, e.g. at least 50 mm, such as within the range of 50-90 mm, e.g. at least 55 mm, such as within the range of 55-85 mm, e.g. at least 60 mm, such as within the range of 60-80 mm, e.g. at least 65 mm, such as within the range of 70-75 mm, e.g. at least 70 mm.
In one or more embodiments, the rat and/or mouse entry opening is sized and configured to leave an opening with a clear width of at least 40 mm, such as within the range of 40-100 mm, e.g. at least 45 mm, such as within the range of 45-95 mm, e.g. at least 50 mm, such as within the range of 50-90 mm, e.g. at least 55 mm, such as within the range of 55-85 mm, e.g. at least 60 mm, such as within the range of 60-80 mm, e.g. at least 65 mm, such as within the range of 70-75 mm, e.g. at least 70 mm.
In one or more embodiments, the snap trap enclosure comprises means for securing the housing to the ground and/or to a wall near the ground, to avoid that the snap trap enclosure can be turned on its side. Such means may be bolts or earth anchors.
In one or more embodiments, a part of the side wall is configured as a door/lid with a lock for restricted access to the snap trap located within the housing.
Advantageously a signal indicating the activation of the snap trap is transmitted wirelessly to a receiving device. Hereby wired electrical connections between the snap trap enclosure and a communication device, placed at a distance from the snap trap enclosure, may be avoided. The communication device eventually has a radio module enabling the device to send SMS messages to a computer.
As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" or "approximately" one particular value and/or to "about" or "approximately" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about", it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.
It should be noted that embodiments and features described in the context of one of the aspects of the present invention also apply to the other aspects of the invention.
The housing 200 further comprises a barbed slit 240 being sized and configured for receiving the plate 400.
A transmitter 600 is also shown. The transmitter is configured for transmitting a signal indicating the activation of the snap trap wirelessly to a receiving device.
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.